Unions pile on pressure with pay demand

Pressure is mounting on the Government to fast-track the new Public Service Pay Commission as it scrambles to cope with mounting pay demands by unions in the wake of a €40m proposed deal for gardaí.

Gardaí are scheduled to discuss the Labour Court proposal today but mixed opinions among the force has raised doubts about it being accepted, with a strike still planned for Friday.

Industrial action by teachers will force the indefinite closure of over 400 secondary schools from today, with weekend talks failing to find a breakthrough and the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) refusing to lift its ban on members doing supervision and substitution work.